Local Lynx no. 134 October/November 2020

ISSUE 134 

October - 

November 

2020 

Did you know… 

You can also access 

Lynx 134 via: 

Field Dalling Villagers’ 

Hall website 

Langham Village 

Homepage & Facebook 

Morston Parish Council 

website 

Stiffkey Village 

Facebook page 

Sharrington Village 

website 

Fakenham, Holt & 

Wells Libraries 

Facebook posts 

ONLINE NOW at www.locallynx.co.uk 

limited hard copies are available - contact your village rep 

if you do not have access to the internet 

1

WHAT’S ON 

Village Hall = VH 

OCTOBER 

1 st Thu. Binham Priory Church Quiet Morning with 

Revd Susanna Gunner, BP 10.30-12.30 

4 th Sun. Binham Priory Church, Harvest Thanksgiving, 

BP 11am 

NOVEMBER 

8 th Sun. Binham Priory Church, Remembrance 

Sunday, BP 10.50am 

8 th Sun. Morston Church Remembrance Day Parade 

1.50pm 

REGULARS (All subject to easing of lockdown) 

Tuesday Binham, Art Group BMH 9.30am to 

12.30pm 

First and third Tuesdays in the month Binham, Sew 

and Natter, The Gallery in the Chequers, 7-9pm 

Wednesdays term time Binham Youth Group BMH 6- 

8pm 

Wednesdays Langham Mobile Post Office VH 9.10- 

10am 

Third Wednesday in the month, Binham, Cosy Club, 

BMH, 2-4pm 

Third Thursday in the month Binham & Hindringham 

Open Circle Meeting, Hindringham VH 7.15pm 

Fourth Thursday in the month Binham Local History 

Group BMH 7.30pm 

1 st & 3 rd Saturdays in month Langham Coffee 

Mornings, VH 10am -12noon (VH currently closed at 

time of going to press) 

The mobile library run by Norfolk County Council 

is currently suspended due to Covid-19 regulations. 

See article under Langham section for information 

on online library services. 

Local Lynx is a non-profit-making community 

newspaper for the ten villages of the benefice. 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

We welcome articles, drawings, photos, poetry and 

advertisements for publication fr om all ages but 

the editor reserves the right to edit or omit 

submissions. A maximum of 400 words is 

recommended. Please contact your local rep on 

their email or phone number listed under your own 

village heading. 

All submissions must go through the village rep. 

For general information: lynxeditor@pobox.com. 

________________________________________________________________________________ 

Deadlines for submissions to reps are: 6 January, 

6 March, 6 May, 6 July, 6 September & 6 November 

Newsletter and Website Advertising 

For enquiries about advertising in Local Lynx, contact 

Sally Metcalfe: sallymetcalfe@btinternet.com 

Rates for advertising (pre-paid) are: 

One column x 62 mm (1/8 page): £72 for six issues. 

One-off ads: £14. 

Small Ads Panel on the back page: 

Available for individuals and businesses 

providing local services. Cost: £36 for six issues. 

And please don’t forget…. 

Lynx 134 and all back issues are permanently available 

on our website at www.locallynx.co.uk. The website now 

has an Ads Directory, an ‘In More Detail’ page and a 

‘Local Charities’ page to cover relevant articles in 

greater depth. (Paper copies of website articles are always 

available from Roberta on 01263 740188.) 

DUNCAN BAKER M.P. 

N. Norfolk Conservative Assoc: 01692 558458 

www.duncanbaker.org.uk 

JEROME MAYHEW M.P. 

Broadland Conservative Assoc: 01603 865763 

www.broadlandconservatives.org.uk 

MOBILE EAR CARE CLINICS 

Hear for Norfolk clinics at Holt and Wells 

from October 2020 

Hear for Norfolk (formerly known as Norfolk Deaf 

Association) is about to restart its mobile clinics for ear care, 

which include a microsuction ear wax removal service. To 

find out more go to www.hearfornorfolk.org.uk. You can 

also ring 01603 404440 or email appointments@ 

hearfornorfolk.org.uk. 

2

Church Services for Bale and Stiffkey Benefice for October and November 2020 

HC=Holy Communion. CFS=Church Family Service. MP=Morning Prayer. BCP=Book of Common Prayer CW- Common Worship 

Parish 4 th October 11 th October 18 th October 25 th October 

Bale 9.30am Harvest Festival 9.30am HC 

Field Dalling 11.00am CFS At Saxlingham 11.00am MP BCP 

Saxlingham At Field Dalling 11.00am HC At Field Dalling 

Gunthorpe 11.00am Harvest/MP 4.30pm Silent Meditation 

Sharrington 9.30am Harvest Festival 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC 

Binham 

11.00am Harvest 

11.00am MP 

Festival 

Morston 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am MP BCP 

Langham 9.30am Harvest Festival At Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP 

Stiffkey At Langham 9.30am HC At Langham 

Parish 1 st November 8 th November 

15 th November 22 nd November 29 th November 

Remembrance Sunday 

Bale 9.30am MP 9.30am HC Service of 

At Field Dalling 

Remembrance 

Field Dalling 

10.45am Service of 

Remembrance 

At Saxlingham 11.00am MP 

BCP 

10.30am HC 

Group Service 

Saxlingham At Field Dalling 11.00am HC At Field Dalling At Field Dalling 

Gunthorpe 

Additional Services 

Stiffkey: Wednesday 11 th November, Remembrance Day Gathering at the War Memorial, 10.45am. 

RECTOR’S LETTER 

Dear Friends and Parishioners, 

This is a medieval Prayer for the Journey… 

‘Here I am and forth I must, 

And in Jesus Christ is all my trust. 

No wicked thing do me any harm, 

Neither here nor elleswhere. 

The Father with me, the Son with me, 

The Holy Ghost, and the Trinity, 

Be betwixt my ghostly enemy and me. 

In the name of the Father and the Son 

And the Holy Ghost, Amen.’ Anonymous 

10.50am Service of 

Remembrance 

It’s like a nice tidy parcel packed with faith, hope and 

determination; and like all nice parcels it needs to be opened, 

used, consumed or worn. Every age has its problems, some 

worse than others. What never changes is human folly, 

occasional sharp, persistent nastiness and the wonderful 

capacity for kindness and self-sacrifice. And have you noticed 

that the rats in the nest never have a sense of humour? 

Autumn and Winter have their delights. I’ve always 

savoured October, a time for me mostly of new beginnings: 

new terms, new posts, new places to live; and often very 

sunny. What could be better? We need gentle newness now, 

the faith, hope and determination to plant new things, begin 

new kindnesses and to heartily participate in the grand divine 

3 

4.30pm Silent 

Meditation 

plan to make all things new. 

May Almighty God bless and keep all who live, work, 

enjoy and travel through our lovely parishes. May He bring 

you Autumn Glory. 

Yours truly, Ian Whittle, 

The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246 

Seek the Lord 

Seek the Lord, and in his ways persever. 

O faint not, but as eagles fly; 

For his steep hill is high; 

Then striving gain the top, and triumph ever. 


Sharrington 9.30am MP 9.30am Service of 

9.30am HC At Field Dalling 

BCP 

Remembrance 

Binham 11.00am HC 10.50am HC Service of 11.00am MP 


Remembrance 

Morston 9.30am HC 2.00pm Service of 9.30am MP BCP 


BCP 

Remembrance 

Langham 

10.50am Service of At Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Field Dalling 

Remembrance 

Stiffkey At Langham 9.30am HC At Langham At Field Dalling 

When with glory there thy brows are crowned, 

New joys so shall abound in thee, 

Such sights thy soul shall see, 

That worldly thoughts shall by their beams be drowned. 

Farewell, World, thou mass of mere confusion, 

False light, with many shadows dimmed, 

Old witch, with new foils trimmed, 

Thou deadly sleep of soul, and charmed illusion. 

I the King will seek, of kings adored; 

Spring of light, tree of grace and bliss, 

Whose fruit so sovereign is 

That all who taste it are from death restored. 

Thomas Campion 1567 - 1620

LOOKING AFTER LOCAL LYNX 

covers 10 villages in North Norfolk 

published every other month 

voluntarily produced by village members 

distributed to 1,265 households, pubs, churches, 

libraries, tourist information offices and shops 

estimated readership 2,000 plus 400+ on-line 

readers at www.locallynx.co.uk 

Local Lynx is a not-for-profit community newspaper, 

supported technically by parish councils, PCCs and, of 

course, our brilliant advertisers. Sometimes this covers our 

costs, but at others, we fall short. 

Although our overall financial position is still healthy, 

we need to make up the shortfall. So we are turning to you, 

our readers, for a little help. Firstly, if you run a local 

business or service, please consider advertising. Secondly, 

we know that you value your Local Lynx and, if you would 

like to help ensure its long-term future, then please think 

about making a small donation. Six pounds a year would be 

£1 per issue; ten pounds a year would be a round sum, but 

please give whatever you feel is appropriate. 

Our bank details for making a direct BACS transfer are 

below or you may donate by cash or cheque. Please email 

lynxeditor @pobox.com to arrange this. 

Lynx Internet Banking and Standing Orders 

Account number: 6500 4288 Sort code: 09-01-54 

With special thanks to our individual donors. Ed. 

COMMUNITY news 

M.P. UPDATE 

…from Duncan Baker 

Dear all, 

I hope you have enjoyed the summer and fine weather 

throughout most of August. Parliament has now resumed 

for what is sure to be an extremely busy few months back in 

Westminster. As I look forward to that, I want to reflect on 

what has been my first Summer Recess and just how 

enjoyable it has been to spend the majority of my time 

touring the constituency, meeting so many of you. There has 

been no sitting about and on my first day back home, I 

started a 54 location tour working from East to West across 

the constituency. From the brilliant sunshine in Horsey, 

Hickling and Ludham on day 1 we finished in the pouring 

rain in Langham, Holkham and Wells six weeks later! 

Being active, approachable, and visible in the 

community are some of my principle aims as your MP and 

as I made my way around the constituency, the reception 

from everyone I met was hugely welcoming. I have been 

truly humbled by the warmth from so many residents who 

took the time to meet me and ask me questions, and it’s 

been a pleasure solving so many problems that people 

wanted to share. 

Whether helping constituents with cancelled operations 

or taking up highway issues in many of our villages, the tour 

has been a great success and it has been enormously 

rewarding to help so many. From listening to many stories 

of people overcoming such difficult situations throughout 

the pandemic, to meeting entrepreneurs who’ve started 

businesses in their garages during lockdown, not a day went 

by when I wasn’t amazed by the spirit and communities that 

define North Norfolk. 

4 

It has been an incredibly busy summer with a huge 

influx of visitors to our area. This has been a lifeline to our 

local economy, and North Norfolk alone has enjoyed 

203,000 discounted meals through the Eat Out to Help Out 

scheme, benefiting local businesses by over £1m. Despite 

such a busy period we have continued to see remarkably 

low infection rates. As our children return to school, having 

missed seeing their friends for many months, I wish them all 

a safe return. In the run-up to Christmas, I will be visiting 

more towns and villages around the constituency, offering 

surgeries, and supporting residents, charities, and businesses 

in any way I can. 

Duncan Baker MP 

COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ NEWS 

…from Dr. Marie Strong 

I hope you and your families are enjoying good health. 

In my report this month I am commencing with two items 

which I think reflect normality - getting rid of rubbish and 

enjoying the resources offered by our libraries. After which 

I follow with the latest COVID-19 related information 

provided by NCC, Norfolk Resilience Forum, and the 

Government, much of which is regularly updated and worth 

re-visiting. In the main this edition is an e-version, hence the 

direct links to information. However the Editor has pointed 

out that there are some residents who receive a ‘hard’ copy 

so I have responded to the request to also provide full web 

addresses (you will find the page you want comes up well 

before you type in all the heading.) This was a somewhat 

complicated task so I hope all is okay. 

Of course in both instances electronic equipment is 

required so please if you know anyone who does not have 

appropriate equipment but would benefit from the 

information consider providing them with a copy. 

NCC’s free hazardous waste amnesty days at our 

Recycling Centres 

Hempton is the most convenient site for our division and 

will be open for hazardous waste 9-4pm 9, 10, 11 October. 

Free for residents with hazardous waste needing specialist 

disposal. The following types of products are accepted: 

paint, paint thinners, wood preserver, fertilizer, fungicides, 

pesticides, weed killer, thermometers, drain cleaners, oven 

cleaners and aerosols. Items such as asbestos, fireworks, 

explosives and gas cannisters are not accepted. More 

information is available here: https://www.norfolk 

recycles.com/household-hazardous-waste-day-2020/. If 

you have other waste to dispose of it is advisable to choose 

other days since the hazardous waste days are already 

proving very busy. 

Norfolk’s Libraries 

By the time you read this most libraries will have opened 

(details on the following link). Library users are required to 

wear a face covering in line with the latest Government 

guidance. Each library will have a one-way system to allow 

for social distancing and hand sanitiser available to use on 

the way in and out. Open library access remains unavailable 

and opening times have been changed accordingly. Latest 

information on: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-localhistory-and-archives/libraries/coronavirus-update. 

(Mobile libraries will return once prepared to meet Covid- 

19 regulations.) 

The Distance Aware Initiative – 

a favourite subject of mine 

The Distance Aware initiative has been recently 

endorsed by the Department of Health and Social Care. The 

initiative was set up to enable individuals and organisations

to politely prompt ongoing distancing and respect of 

individual social space. Badge/poster templates are available 

to download from the site: https://www.bevan 

commission.org/distance-aware 

Coronavirus Latest Information 

The information below is intended to keep you up to 

date with the latest information and is in the main updated 

regularly. The most recent verified data on cases in the UK 

and Norfolk is available from Public Health England. PHE 

is addressing common questions on its Public Health 

Matters at https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/. Also we 

have a dedicated webpage for coronavirus updates (https:// 

www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/healthand-wellbeing/adults-health/coronavirus/communitysupport-for-people-at-home/help-if-you-are-selfisolating) 

in Norfolk and impacts on Norfolk County 

Council services (which affects us all one way and another). 

This is updated regularly so please re-visit this page. 

New payment for people self-isolating 

in highest risk areas 

People on low incomes who need to self-isolate and are 

unable to work from home in areas with high incidence of 

Covid-19 will benefit from a new payment scheme. Criteria 

and more information at https://www.gov.uk/government/ 

news/new-payment-for-people-self-isolating-in-highestrisk-areas. 

Guidance for landlords 

Legislation has been introduced so that, until at least 

March 2021, landlords must now give tenants 6 months’ 

notice before they can evict. Guidance provides advice 

for landlords, tenants and local authorities. https:// 

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-andrenting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-localauthorities. 

Shielding guidance published for young people 

Public Health England has updated guidance written for 

young people on shielding and protecting people most likely 

to become unwell if they catch coronavirus. The guidance 

provides information on how the shielding advice has 

changed, the definition of clinically extremely vulnerable 

people, and the clinical risk to children and young people. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidanceon-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerablepersons-from-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-youngpeople-on-shielding-and-protecting-people-most-likelyto-become-unwell-if-they-catch-coronavirus. 

Enhanced Carer Support from 

Tuesday 1 September 2020 

Carers Matter Norfolk delivers a highly personalised 

service that enables carers to improve their health and 

CLEANER REQUIRED 

For 2 Bedroom Holiday Rental Cottage in Binham 

Starting in the New Year (2021) 

Friday changeover day, approx 3 hours required 

Full clean throughout including washing and ironing 

bed sheets 

Generous rates of pay 

Please call Sue Sullivan on 07730 859156 

wellbeing and support them in their caring role. You can 

find out more information about the service by visiting their 

website at carersmatternorfolk.org.uk. 

Back to School 

We have developed a ‘Back to School’ section on the 

NCC website, https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and 

-how-we-work/campaigns/back-to-school. 

Kickstart Scheme 

The government has introduced a new Kickstart Scheme 

in Great Britain, a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of 

thousands of high quality 6-month work placements aimed 

at those aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit and are 

deemed to be at risk of long term unemployment. 

Additional guidance and promotional materials can be 

found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ 

kickstart-scheme?utm_source=9110972d-4588-4bc2- 

a272-6bb7da082115&utm_medium=email&utm_ 

campaign=govuknotifications&utm_content=immediate 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 

Guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the 

scheme. The scheme ends on 31 October 2020. Find out 

more at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ 

coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-step-by-step-guide- 

for-employers?utm_source=8b21f2f9-507f-4ee6-ab3f- 

8b31380a33e9&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=g 

ovuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate#history 

Wellbeing 

As much as possible, people are encouraged to improve 

their mental wellbeing to tackle negative thoughts that can 

lead to more serious mental health issues down the line. 

Using the Five Ways to Wellbeing or making a ‘mind plan’ 

can help people take constructive steps towards getting 

better: www.norfolk.gov.uk/wellbeing. Take care, Marie 

County Councillors’ contact details: 

Dr Marie Strong: County Councillor Wells Division 

(Glaven, Priory and Walsingham Parishes) 

marie.strong@norfolk. gov.uk or 07920 286 597 

Steffan Aquarone: County Councillor Melton Constable 

Division ( incl. Bale and Gunthorpe Parishes) 

steffanaquarone@gmail.com or 07879 451608 

District Councillors’ Contact Details: 

Richard Kershaw e:richard.kershaw@north-norfolk.gov.uk 

(Binham, Cockthorpe, Field Dalling, Gunthorpe & Bale, 

Langham & Saxlingham) 

Karen Ward e:karen.ward@north-norfolk.gov.uk (Morston 

& Stiffkey) 

Andrew Brown e:andrew.brown@north-norfolk.gov.uk 

(Sharrington) 

GLAVEN CENTRE UPDATE 

Glaven is still working hard throughout this mad time, 

providing hot meals every weekday to our clients and 

anybody else who would like them. 

We provide a bath service on a Monday morning and the 

foot clinic is with us every Friday; appointments from 

9:15am - 3:30pm. Ring 01263 740762 for more details. 

Kind regards, 

Keith Barnes, General Manager 

5

LOCAL LYNX WILL MISS YOU ALL 

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our Bale 

rep since January 2007(!) Jane Wheeler. Our loss is 

Scotland’s gain and I hope she will send us news when she 

settles in. 

The Local Lynx collection point for 1280 hard copies of 

the newsletter (remember hard copies?), has always been 

John and Sue Hughes’ house in Langham. I have absolutely 

no idea how we will manage without them. Happily, they 

are not moving too far away and so local friends will be able 

to visit. (Remember visiting?) Ed.. (see pages 10 & 19) 

WELCOME TO THE LYNX 

They say every cloud has a silver lining and I am 

delighted to welcome Maggie Thomas as the new rep for 

Bale. You will find her contact details on the Bale page. 

Thank you Maggie for stepping up to the plate at such short 

notice, especially during these trying times. 

Ed. 

Almost there 

A great sight - finally on its plinth 

On 1st September we welcomed ex-Royal Engineers 

Steve Craddock and Matt Lum who were raising funds for 

Help4Heroes on a bike ride from Kent to the National 

Arboretum in Shropshire. This is an annual event called the 

Big Battlefield Bike Ride and this year was originally 

scheduled to take place in France to celebrate the 80 th 

Anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuations. This was 

cancelled by Covid-19 - so they decided to do the same 

distance in the UK, and lay wreaths at war memorials along 

the way. Steve himself suffers from PTSD, but he has been 

a phenomenal fundraiser for the cause – close to £500,000 

in the last 13 years, and he is the largest individual fund 

raiser for the charity. The Lord Lieutenant for Norfolk, Lady 

Pippa Dannatt accompanied by General the Lord Richard 

Dannatt, and North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, were at the 

Dome to greet him, along with Dome Trustees and 

volunteers. 

LANGHAM DOME NEWS 

(www.langhamdome.org) 

The Dome reopened for visitors, but with numbers 

strictly limited, in August and will remain open until 31 

October. The open days are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 

and Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm. We have purchased 

PPE items for use by our volunteers and others together 

with sanitisation equipment. The Dome is employing the 

services of Norfolk Cleaning Ltd. who are a local firm 

specialising in cleaning as required under Covid 19 

conditions. The website (link above) gives more details and 

is regularly updated, so please refer to that for the latest 

Dome news and to confirm that nothing has changed. 

The Spitfire was mounted on its plinth on 20th August 

and will remain there until the end of October. However as 

noted in issue 133 the formal unveiling and dedication 

ceremony will only take place once the Dome can re-open 

normally - hopefully in Spring 2021. However, the Spitfire 

has already sparked a great deal of interest, not least 

amongst the many people who have supported the project 

during the last two years. More details of the dedication 

plans will follow. 

The Greeting Party 

Steve with Lord Dannatt 

Continuing our tales from squadrons based at Langham 

during WW2, No.521 Squadron went through two 

incarnations during the Second World War, in both cases as 

a meteorological squadron. The squadron was formed for 

the first time on 1st August 1942 from No.1401 Flight, and 

was based at Bircham Newton (Norfolk). This incarnation 

of the squadron used several different types of aircraft. 

Gladiator biplanes were used for local weather reporting. 

Twin engined Hudsons and Blenheims were used over the 

North Sea. Finally faster Spitfires and Mosquitoes were 

used for flights over German occupied Europe. 

The squadron was split into Nos.1401 and 1409 (Met) 

Flights on 31 March 1943, but then was reformed at 

Docking on 1 September of the same year. This second 

version of the squadron inherited the Gladiators and 

Hudsons, and also used Hampden bombers no longer 

needed by Bomber Command. The squadron moved to 

6

Langham in October 1944. The Hudsons and Hampdens 

were replaced by Venturas by the end of 1944, and the 

Gladiators were joined by Hurricanes from August 1944. A 

shortage of Venturas in front line units meant that they were 

withdrawn in the autumn of 1944. They were replaced by 

Hudsons for a short period, but were then replaced by B17 

Flying Fortresses in December 1944. At the end of the war 

the squadron was operating a mix of Fortresses, Gladiators 

and Hurricanes, and had spent the entire war based in 

Norfolk before moving to RAF Chivenor in Devon at the 

end of November 1945, but leaving 1402 Met Flight 

operating THUM missions from Langham until the end of 

RAF flying operations with two Hurricane THUM flights 

on 30 April 1946 being the last operations of the Flight. 

approach he crash landed at 06.35. It was decided that there 

must have been an instrument lag in the altimeter as the 

pilot had made many sorties under similar difficult 

conditions with successful landings on the beam at Docking. 

Gloster Gladiator used until 1945 by Met Sqns/Flts 

The second example follows the fortunes of one war 

weary Hudson aircraft serial number FK740 - our historian 

John Allan calls the story “Ice, Snow and Sacrifice”. 

521 Sqn Fortess landing at Langham 

The Squadron was mainly involved in two types of 

sorties from Langham: 

THUM (Temperature & HUMidity) 

Local / Short Range Sorties 

Staged Climb to Approx 24,000ft 

Performed by Gladiator and Hurricane 

RHOMBUS 

Long Range Sorties Landing in Scotland at Wick or 

Skitten 

Triangular Route with Turning Point off S.W. Coast of 

Norway 

Approx 5 Hours, Operating at Sea Level to 18,000ft 

Performed by Hudson and Fortress 

Operated as a “Shuttle” with Skitten/Wick based 519 

Sqn 

The dangers inherent in the Squadron’s operations in 

virtually all weathers can be illustrated by a couple of 

examples: 

On 16th November 1944 Gladiator K.7972 flown by 

Pilot Officer W McKay took off at 05.25 from Langham on 

a THUM sortie - in darkness with the cloud base at 150ft. 

On his return, with the Langham weather unsuitable for an 

approach and landing, he decided to make a descent below 

cloud at Docking on the (radio) beam. Having descended to 

50ft over the airfield and still in cloud (and darkness) the 

aircraft bounced badly on the aerodrome, and the pilot knew 

that his undercarriage was damaged. In a subsequent 

RAF Hudson 

5th November 1944 Fg Off Churchill and crew. Take 

off 04.00 land 09.45. Mission RHOMBUS 1. The ascent 

was abandoned on this sortie. The whole trip was made in 

exceedingly rough conditions - gale winds and heavy rain as 

the area was covered by severe frontal conditions. The 

average wind for the whole sortie was 53 knots at 800 feet - 

reaching 73 knots at the highest. Icing was experienced at 

950mb. 

6th November 1944 Fg Off Stollery and crew. Take 

off 08.55 land 14.55. No RHOMBUS was done by 521 

Sqn. The aircraft was to have taken off from RAF Skitten 

(in Ciathness near Wick) but owing to severe frontal 

conditions over the whole area and icing it was cancelled by 

Group. 

8th November 1944 Still at RAF Skitten. The 521 

Sqn aircraft was to have taken off on RHOMBUS I from 

Skitten at 04.00 but the aircraft iced up on the runway 

before take-off was possible. There were snow showers 

passing approx. every 15 minutes and as the freezing level 

was at approx. 50-100ft the sleet froze on the aircraft before 

take-off was possible. The sortie was abandoned. 

9th November 1944 Fg Off Stollery and crew. Takeoff 

11.25 from Skitten - landed Langham 15.05 - mission 

RHOMBUS II. Take off was delayed because the aircraft 

had to be cleaned after a heavy snow shower and a suitable 

break in the showers gave time to be airborne. At position 3 

on the route the A/C had to fly approx.70 miles south to 

avoid a very extensive snow storm and then course was set 

to position 2 on the second leg. At 550mb [equivalent to 

about 14,000 feet] the port motor began to throw oil and the 

climb was abandoned. Gale winds of 40-55 knots for the 

7

whole sortie. 

10th January 1945 Warrant Officer Locke and crew. 

Take-off 06.20 and return to Langham 11.30 - mission 

RHOMBUS I via position 6 - planned ascent to 15,000ft. 

Take-off had been delayed so that it would be daylight at 

the datum for the climb as there were extensive CuNb 

clouds and snow storms. On the ascent the GEE aerial iced 

up and broke off. Shortly afterwards the ASV aerial iced up 

and broke off hitting the starboard propeller. It damaged the 

propeller - an indent of 1” and bending the end approx. 3” 

from the end. At 15000ft the climb was abandoned and 

returned to base - engine vibrating badly. 

7th February 1945 Fg Off Hinton and crew. Take-off 

from Langham 04.15 - did not return - mission RHOMBUS 

I. The aircraft took off as normal. The weather was bad with 

heavy frontal conditions and a strong wind (35/40 knots). At 

06.15 an SOS was received from the aircraft and Kirkwall 

and Inverness obtained a 3rd class bearing. Nothing further 

was heard from the aircraft. The bearings gave an 

approximate position at Position 6 on the route [this would 

have been around 57.3N 05E]. On plotting the time flown 

the aircraft should have been commencing the ascent at the 

time of the SOS. Four (4) Air Sea Rescue Warwicks were 

airborne before 0900 hours and searched the area around 

Position 6, but no trace was found of the crew or aircraft. JB 

FARMING UPDATE 

JULY-AUGUST 2020 

Lessons Learned the Hard Way 

Another year, another harvest in the shed and one that, 

on this occasion, I’m quite glad to see the back of. The 

horrendously wet autumn and winter was followed by 

another extensive dry period in spring, for the third year in a 

row, all of which took its toll: spring barley did not have 

enough moisture to establish well early on and the winter 

crops had not developed good enough root systems to 

endure the drought like they could have, if the autumn had 

been kinder. In short yields were down on average, 

somewhere between 5-15%, depending on crop but the 

results were not a surprise on the whole. 

As always there were some positive aspects to the year. 

We got lucky with our pea drilling date being quite late in 

the spring (early- to mid-May) so they emerged into some 

glorious rainfall and were able to do quite well in the 

subsequent sunshine. Sugar beet too, although yet to be 

harvested, looks in fine fettle despite a protracted battle with 

weeds. The dry conditions meant weeds were ‘hardened’ to 

herbicide and hence very difficult to control, especially 

without damaging the fragile beet but, again, once the rain 

came they were able to grow away and look to have some 

good potential. Harvest itself was also relatively 

straightforward this year, which was a relief. The 

convergence of early dry weather, a reduced wheat area, 

thinner-than-average crops and a large new combine (very 

exciting for us farmers!) meant we completed wheat harvest 

on the 7 th of August. To put that into context, in 2019 we 

started wheat harvest on the 6 th of August and were 

promptly rained off the same day. 

One of the beauties of farming is that every year you get 

to start afresh and so far, we are off to a good start. The rain 

in August has put a good amount of moisture into the soil 

and the seedbeds for next year’s crop are looking good with 

some settled weather for drilling on the horizon. Tough 

years are good learning experiences, and they offer 

opportunities to test the limits of what is possible (or more 

likely, sensible) in a way we would not normally. I am glad 

to be turning over a new leaf (too on the nose?!) but I 

suspect these lessons will prove the most valuable output 

from 2020. Jonathan Darby Albanwise Farm Manager 

COVID - 19 AND CARE HOMES 

Have you had a loved one in care during Covid-19? 

Healthwatch Norfolk want to hear your experience to 

improve safety in the care sectors. 

If a friend or relative of yours has spent time in a 

residential or nursing home during the pandemic, 

Healthwatch Norfolk wants to know how you have coped 

with the changes, to understand what worked well and what 

could have been improved. 

Feedback will be collected anonymously and fed back to 

Norfolk County Council, which want to learn by listening to 

the public so that care homes can be safer, more resilient 

and communicate better with families in the future. 

You can participate by going to www.healthwatch 

norfolk.co.uk where you will find a link to the survey on 

its home page. Alternatively, you can call the office on 

01953 856029 to share your views on the phone or arrange 

for a survey to be posted to you directly. 

In the survey you will be asked questions about: 

Dealing with changes to visiting, communicating and 

contacting staff 

The impact on you and your loved ones 

Examples of good practice from care homes 

Getting the right information to feel safe and informed 

How things could have been improved during Covid-19 

All care homes are included in this project, including 

specialist homes for people with learning disabilities, 

autism or mental health problems and the survey will 

close on 16 th October 2020. 

Alex Stewart Healthwatch Norfolk 

8

BALE 

Contact: Maggie Thomas 01328 822481 

maggie2403@icloud.com 

BALE DIARY 

Clearing the sheds 

25th August 2020 

Goes on for ever, inner circles of dirt/slip and glaze 

splash/limewash, crumble/cobweb. Then one suddenly 

notices the filthy state of all the windows, never before 

thought of. 

My veg garden is full of sunflowers this year. A very 

long time ago I grew sunflowers up here. They were a bit 

bigger that time. Then I had all these sheds pulled down and 

rebuilt. They were put up originally on the site of an old post 

mill which is documented by an auction notice from 1845 

(on a website about Norfolk mills). The previous owners, 

the Hudsons, kept seven sows and their offspring, a pony 

and chickens in them. Another of the sheds was especially 

for onions, equipped with shelves. They were fascinating, 

made with old doors and windows, bits of wood from Reg 

Hudson’s forestry job, and corrugated iron from when part 

of Stiffkey army camp was dismantled. A few bicycle 

chains helped to hold things together, plus an enormous 

number of nails. But they were leaking when I got them. I 

definitely bought the house because of the garden and sheds, 

though, charming as they were, the roofs had gone, and they 

were unusable in the winter. 

The old chicken shed was the first to go. The long range 

of sheds were the last, except that the one on the end 

became my kiln shed and had some alterations before 

anything else was done, and was basically the inspiration for 

the rest. The big studio was the next to be sorted out, with 

three panels of double glazing in the roof. I had a contact 

who worked for a hardwood conservatory company in 

Aylsham, and he retrieved several useful things which 

would have been skipped, like the huge doors which are a 

little twisted and let a bit of cold wind through when it’s 

from the East, and the roof lights. 

Now I am giving up all this space I have been cleaning it 

out, and realising that it’s better to do a regular clean and not 

have a box of pigments lurking under your plan chest, 

entirely forgotten and the paper packaging eaten by mice. 

Weirdly this shed suffers from house mice, whereas the 

house only gets visits from wood mice. The local vermin 

controller did a good job on them three years ago, but then 

left for Scotland. However, the first to die are always the 

voles, and if you are using poison it’s not good for our barn 

owls. Bimba found several almost dead voles in the garden 

that summer. 

On a happier note, going through the old stuff one 

always finds treasures, like a sketch book from my last year 

at Corsham (Bath Academy of Art) full of watercolour and 

pencil studies of wild flowers - marsh marigolds and sedge 

spikes, honeysuckle in a glass. 

After two and a half storms the garden is not looking too 

wonderful, but I had a lovely second flowering from all the 

roses, and the purple cactus dahlias are doing their thing. I 

don’t understand why the red ones I bought produce these 

purple flowers. The wind is currently giving everything a 

good thrashing, so I am not sure my sunflowers will be 

upright now. 

Jane Wheeler 

BALE DIARY 2 

Losing the saltmarsh 

30th Aug 2020 

Walking at Morston again this morning, I reflected that 

this kind of environment is one I won’t find in Fife. 

There are sandy beaches with dunes and flowery 

machair and rocky beaches on the coast there, and reed beds 

in the Tay estuary at Newburgh. At Tentsmuir there is pine 

forest behind dunes, with heather and ferns, more beautiful 

than Holkham’s pinewoods. But there is nowhere as liminal, 

where sky and land and sea segue into each other with this 

very special mixture of plants – the sea-wormwood, sealavender, 

sea-purslane, shrubby sea blite, sea-beet, all the 

succulents that grow on the salty silt, especially samphire. 

Soon to turn rusty maroon and pink, their autumn colours, 

along with the mauve and yellow sea-aster. 

This morning the high wind was in our ears, echoing the 

surf thundering on the sand banks; curlew and redshank 

loudly disapproving, although the nesting season is well 

over, the tide on its way out. And here's bladderwrack left 

behind, attached to its brick holdfast, all barnacled. 

The texture of this place is extraordinary; pebblestudded, 

sometimes slippery with black silt; smooth clay 

deposits; loose sand; stinging sharp marram stems; dry 

paths; wet channels and pools. Always the pools that reflect 

upwards the light of whatever weather happens on the day. I 

counted twenty swans in the Stiffkey’s freshwater outflow 

and in the marram grass were tiny ghosts of crabs. On 

Thursday there were ghosts of Covid-19 – disintegrating 

latex gloves all over the purslane lawns next to the channel. 

In the sun and wind it’s hard to remember the pandemic, 

still a rising tide. 

The marsh seems empty except for me and the dog, for 

half an hour, until we turn back and meet more dogwalkers. 

It’s full of life, of course, birds, insects, fish, crustaceans, 

9

seals, even hares. I shall miss this place most. But who 

knows how long it will persist, surely before too long rising 

sea levels will cover it and destroy Blakeney spit too. 

But now I want to paint its looping shapes and its 

colours, its drama, now when my studio is all packed up and 

I am busy organising the move, the change of address, and 

the last skip. 

Jane Wheeler 

HUNDRED CLUB DRAW RESULTS 

We are continuing to hold the draw, despite fish and 

chips not being possible for the time being. 

July 20 August 20 

Emily Antcliffe £25 John Allison £25 

Walter Hammond £10 Cicely Postan £10 

Maggie Thomas £5 Alastair Macorkindale £5 

Mark Milson £5 Martin Moore £5 

TO JANE WHEELER 

A FOND FAREWELL 

A well-known resident of Bale is leaving the village 

after almost 20 years. Jane Wheeler will be known to many 

readers of the Local Lynx for her detailed descriptions of 

nature walks with her dogs, first Tilda and more recently 

Bimba. Her knowledge of the countryside, its animals, 

flowers and butterflies has delighted readers for the last 14 

years 

Jane has for many years been a member of Bale village 

hall committee and belonged to the Bale art group and Bale 

book group. Many will know her as a potter or a painter, a 

writer, a fashion designer: her creative talents are wideranging. 

Jane was born in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and 

spent her first 18 months in North Walsham, at which point 

her family moved to Stoke Holy Cross. She attended 

Norwich High School for Girls early on and then North 

Walsham High School where she initially excelled but 

admits that she put less effort into her studies as the years 

went by. Her love of pottery took her to Bath Academy of 

Art in Corsham where she took a Diploma in Art and 

Design, specialising in ceramics. 

While at Bath Academy, she took up knitting: designing 

and making clothes for friends. She was so talented that in 

1973, having moved back to Norfolk, she was selling 

designer knitwear to an American company under the label 

‘Jane Wheeler for San Francisco clothing’. She was soon 

travelling to New York and selling to other stores. She 

remembers spending all morning packing up orders for 

despatch and spending the afternoons painting. 

Her next move was to Newcastle where she did an MA 

in Fine Arts at Northumbria University. 

Jane moved back to Norfolk 20 years ago, renting a 

cottage next to the Red Lion, Stiffkey, and then a barn in 

Cockthorpe, while her daughter Lucy was a student at the 

University of Kent, Canterbury. Her earlier interest in 

ceramics was rekindled on her return to Norfolk. She found 

‘an almost uninhabitable cottage’ in Bale in 2001 and 

gradually renovated it, converting outbuildings to house a 

stoneware kiln, pottery workshop and office space. 

It is to be nearer to her daughter that Jane has decided to 

move to St Andrews where Lucy is now a senior lecturer in 

Film Studies. All Jane’s friends in Bale and the surrounding 

villages will miss her wonderful pottery and paintings. She 

has recently sold many pieces of ceramics to raise more than 

£250 for Bale Village Hall. We all wish her great happiness 

in her new life in Scotland and hope she finds ‘fresh woods 

and pastures new’. 

Maggie Thomas 

BINHAM 

Contact: Liz Brady 01328 830830 

lizsdavenport@gmail.com 

BINHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

As is always the way, our next Parish Council meeting is 

before this edition is published, on Monday 14th September. 

The agenda is varied, and issues related to the effects of 

Covid-19 will no doubt be considered and plans for the 

continuing months whilst the virus is still evident. 

This leads me onto the very great need to remain vigilant 

especially as schools, colleges and universities and 

companies workforces to return to their institutions or 

workplaces. Cleary the government’s thrust at the moment 

is to rejuvenate the economy and return children and young 

people to their learning environments. Many parents and 

children alike have worked hard together to maintain their 

learning during the past six months. They are keen to get 

back to a safe school environment sooner rather than later. 

The preparation has been immense at all levels and huge 

thanks and congratulations to those who have been 

instrumental in making sure those who have and will return 

to school, college, university and work can do so safely . 

I make no apologies for reiterating just how important it 

is for all of us to pay attention to ‘Help Control the Virus’ to 

protect ourselves and others. This is especially important 

now as Norfolk has been placed on the Watch List because 

of a Covid-19 outbreak at Banham Poultry in Attleborough. 

10

Currently, the outbreak is mainly confined to the areas 

where the workforce lives - Great Yarmouth, Norwich and 

Attleborough/Thetford. It is worth noting that Norfolk 

County Council Outbreak Control Plan, it sets out how the 

NCC and Public Health will aim to ensure that people, 

businesses and communities can go about their normal daily 

lives as safely as possible while the Covid-19 pandemic 

remains in the county. There is a single Outbreak Centre 

with a dedicated team for the next 12 months (https:// 

www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/healthand-wellbeing/adults-health/coronavirus/norfolksresponse-to-coronavirus/outbreak-control). 

A useful 

summary outline ‘Coronavirus (Covid-19) of the current up 

to date policies and procedures related to help to control the 

virus and keep safe can be found at https://ww.gov.uk/ 

coronavirus. 

In recent months NCC Highways have been busy in the 

village, first of all reviewing where SAMS (speed indictor 

device) can be positioned and agreement for additional sites 

and secondly Warham Road and Langham Road have been 

resurfaced – always interesting to watch the process! 

Entrance speed gates have been placed on the Hindringham 

Road. Several of the neighbouring villages have also 

followed suit with gates and speed monitoring devices. 

Does any of this make any difference? We are monitoring 

this carefully, what we can say is that while we think that 

speeding is the norm, SAMS will help us fully understand 

whether that is actually the case. The pattern of traffic in 

terms of busy times, average speed through different parts, 

volume and speeding patterns will be monitored. A small 

subgroup has been tasked with maintaining the SAMS and 

at each change over the data is reviewed to determine all 

aforementioned aspects of traffic and reported at PC 

meetings. Any such data will also inform the PC in due 

course whether or not additional speed gates will be placed 

on the Warham Road and Langham Road entry to Binham 

village. More data needs to be collected before any decision 

can be taken. The SAMS will appear at one or two new 

places around Binham and Cockthorpe. It has recently been 

positioned in Cockthorpe because of reported speeding and 

increased traffic during July and early August. 

The PC continues to consider planning applications, and 

make comment as and when appropriate. Sometimes the 

planning subgroup will visit a site to understand better the 

proposed layout and consider the effect it might have on the 

village. The PC will be consistent about asking for specific 

requirements during development or redevelopment mainly 

because our roads and access to properties are narrow or 

awkward, therefore traffic management is necessary to 

avoid prolonged blocking of the roads especially during 

harvest and planting times. 

We look forward to an ordered return to some sort of 

normality hopefully before Christmas, but many think this 

might be optimistic as the rates of Covid-19 infection have 

increased in recent weeks and that autumn and winter 

approach. Let’s be sure that we: 

Protect Ourselves. Protect Others. Protect Norfolk 

Elizabeth S Brady (Chair Binham PC) 

BINHAM PRIORY CHURCH 

The church is open every day from 10am to 4pm for 

individual private prayer and the opportunity to enjoy the 

feeling of tranquillity and uplifting spirituality of being in a 

scared space, welcoming parishioners and visitors for more 

than 800 years. 

Because of the continuing restriction of Covid at the 

time of going to press only two services are confirmed; 

Sunday 4th October at 11am “Harvest Thanksgiving” 

with the church suitably decorated. 

Sunday 8th November at 10.50am “Remembrance 

Sunday” starting with the Act of Remembrance at the War 

Memorial before going into church. There will be other 

Sunday services during the two months which will be 

advertised in the Lynx and on posters. 

Additionally on Thursday 1st October there will be a 

“Quiet Morning” from 10.30 to 12.30 of reflective time, led 

by Revd Susanna Gunner, Diocesan Advisor for Spirituality 

and Discipleship. 

Everyone will be welcomed to any of the services with 

the seating arrangements in line with government 

guidelines. 

The Parochial Church Council is very grateful to the large 

number of volunteers who, each day on a rota, come to clean 

and sanitise surfaces that may have been touched by visitors, 

thus allowing the church to be open and welcoming. 

11

BINHAM VILLAGE MEMORIAL HALL 

We are keeping the playground equipment closed for the 

time being. Currently the requirements to keep it all Covid 

safe are rightly complicated and serious but we do not have 

staff to keep it sanitised. We know this is disappointing and 

promise that as soon as we can, we will open it. 

There is still a problem with flytipping by the recycling 

bins – please, please do not leave rubbish by the bins. The 

recycling centre at Wells is open Friday – Monday so if 

your own bins are full, please take your rubbish there. The 

trustees have spent time on clearing up the extra rubbish and 

it is a truly disgusting job. We would be very grateful for all 

your help in making sure this doesn’t carry on. 

We’re very hopeful that in the next few weeks we will 

be able to re-open the hall for hirers and regular groups. In 

this new world, it will now be the responsibility of the hirer 

to clean the hall to the required standards after any events 

and it will also be their responsibility to maintain social 

distancing and keep limited numbers of attendees. 

In the meantime, did you know that we can hire out our 

crockery and glassware if you’re having an event at home? 

Please don’t hesitate to contact Liz Brown for further info. 

The 100 Club has been quite nice and busy over the last 

few months. There are some numbers available and if you’d 

like to join, please get in touch with June Read. Her details 

are on the website. 

We are very hopeful that the Village Show will have 

happened on September 26th. If it has, then there will be 

more news in the next online issue. 

Keep an eye on the website www.binhamvillagehall.co. uk 

– and the Facebook page for all information. There is now a 

direct link to the Local Lynx from the website. Mary Hunt 

THE FRIENDS OF BINHAM PRIORY 

We had an exciting year planned for 2020 but we hope 

you will bear with us and join us in 2021 when we hope to 

roll out the events we have now cancelled due to Covid-19. 

Our special members’ evening is officially postponed. 

We are also delaying the much looked forward to talk by 

Peter Brookes, political cartoonist for The Times. With 

restrictions on numbers at gatherings, and with our desire to 

work safely for everyone, we feel both events should be 

held when the virus threat subsides. We will announce new 

dates as soon as circumstances permit. 

On a brighter note, we wish you a happy and safe 

Autumn. You can still visit our magnificent Binham Priory 

Church which is open daily. Please practice social 

distancing and use hand sanitiser provided at the door. A 

team of volunteers has organised a daily cleaning rota to 

help keep the building interior safe. 

The Friends would also like to take this opportunity to 

welcome our newly joined members. Your support is really 

appreciated. We try to keep in touch through our website. It 

has a Binham what’s on section as well as information 

about our charity and a colourful photographic record of 

Binham and Binham events. 

The website address is https://friendsofbinham 

priory.weebly.com. Here, you will also find contact 

details for the Friends of Binham Priory plus an easy to 

download membership form. Please do get in touch if you 

wish to contribute photographs to the site, or provide ideas 

or manpower to help at future events. Carolyn Raymond 

BINHAM YOUTH GROUP 

Schools went back in early September, but until children 

are mixing freely and without restrictions in their schools, 

we will not be able to reopen Youth Group. 

We will be guided by what is happening in local schools 

and by government advice. 

Binham Youth group is held in the Binham Memorial 

Hall on Wednesdays 6-8 pm, term time only, age 5-16 

years, £1 entry fee, tuck shop. All staff DBS checked. And 

there is a NO mobile phones policy. 

We have Art ‘n’ Craft, board games, table tennis, pool 

table, karaoke, books, 10 pin bowling, indoors during winter 

and summer time we use the large playing field and play 

equipment or just chill out and make new friends. 

It’s a great way to spend your time” (William), “You can 

make new friends” (Lily) and “There’s lots of fun”. (Ben) 

We are always looking for volunteers to help out, even if 

only now and again. Contact Amanda Able (01328 830828) 

or Andrew Marsh (01328 830178) for further information. 

HINDRINGHAM AND BINHAM 

OPEN CIRCLE 

It’s hard to think when we met for our AGM in 

February, August would have drawn to a close and we are 

no nearer meeting again and our calendar of events for 2020 

has not happened. Most of the speakers I have contacted are 

happy to re arrange for a future date. 

The beautiful weather has certainly helped lockdown 

and the change to our way of life, but there is a change in 

the air now as nature takes us in to Autumn and light levels 

change too. The weather extremes seem to be a visual sign 

of the chaos the world faces in so many ways. 

I hope everyone is well and now we wish all the 

county’s children who are returning to school in the next 

week a safe return and also those whose care they are in. 

12

Let’s hope in the next few months we might be in a 

position to make some plans to meet in some way. 

Best wishes, 

Sue Elkins, Hon Secretary 

BINHAM LOCAL HISTORY GROUP 

Just an update on the group’s current situation in respect 

of COVID 19. I had planned two speakers for September 

and October 2020 but of course in light of current 

circumstances I have regrettably cancelled these. Therefore, 

BLHG will remain dormant in as far as events and speakers 

certainly till end of 2020. I will review the situation at that 

time and look to see whether we can restart again in 2021. 

In the meantime I have created a Facebook page for 

Binham Local History Group and I do post items of interest 

that I discover on there. 

There will be no call for membership fees which are 

normally due in September of each year until such time as 

the group can commit to having a viable diary. 

Sparrow Clubs 

I do know that some of you have used this period of 

Covid-19 to make best use of online archives and 

researching family trees. For me, using available archives is 

very much a key component to understanding our ancestors 

past lives and the times they lived in and most importantly 

attitudes towards all elements of the world as it was then 

and not as we would see it now. 

This thought came very much to mind when I was sent a 

copy of document recently by Alex Smith of Binham who 

has been busy researching her Howell family tree. The 

document I received was a copy of the formation of the 

Walsingham & District Sparrow Club in May 1911 which 

lists membership from 32 villages covering the area from 

Walsingham to Sculthorpe and including the town of Wells. 

As I looked at the document of which Mr J W Howell was 

shown as the secretary and treasurer it listed the following 

detail: 

Sparrows will be paid for at Threepence a dozen. 

Unfledged sparrows and eggs at three half pence a dozen 

No Birds to be counted except sparrows 

Birds will be paid for on July 1st and January 1st 

Curiosity led me to research the British Newspaper 

archive to find out what was the story behind the destruction 

of sparrows on a payment by results basis. Up popped 

various articles some making very proud claims of the 

number of sparrows destroyed plus adverts for the Norfolk 

Sparrow trap. 

The question that springs instantly to mind is why? 

Especially when in our modern times the House (Passer 

Domesticus) and especially Tree (Passer Montanus) 

sparrows have become a much rarer sight and are now listed 

by the RSPB as Red status. Monitoring suggests a severe 

decline in the UK house sparrow population, recently 

estimated as dropping by 71% between 1977 and 2008 and 

93% for tree sparrow. It seems though that in Victorian and 

Edwardian era, the sparrow was present in huge numbers 

and was a big culprit for eating the grain and of course this 

had a detrimental effect on farming community livelihoods. 

I found an article from 1912 which stated that the 

Norfolk Hingham Rat & Sparrow Club claimed destruction 

of 34,642 rats, 35,208 sparrows and 14,766 eggs in two 

years. Rats of course were also a perpetual problem. The 

money earnt from the destruction brought much needed 

extra income to the low-income households. 

I found a letter to the Times from the author H Rider 

Haggard of Ditchingham, Norfolk, dated August 1908 

13 

stating “Sir, It would not be to much 

to say that this district is literally 

alive with sparrows which seem to 

me have increased enormously in 

the past twenty years. The damage 

done by these voracious birds is 

almost incalculable”. 

Some shooting clubs also offered challenge shoots for 

modest sums, and the prizes for handicaps and sweepstakes 

tended to be watches, clocks, cases of stuffed birds and 

firkins of ale. It was not just sparrows that were employed as 

targets in these shooting matches, but also starlings, and it is 

perhaps not widely known that sparrow and starling 

shooting clubs were widespread throughout England 

through the greater part of the 19th century and into the 

following century, until the practice was brought to a halt by 

a ban in 1921. During a debate in Parliament relating to the 

ban, it was revealed that in the previous year one million 

starlings had been shot at club matches and a further half-amillion 

sparrows. 

I finish with a line from another letter to the Times from 

a Mr Gilbert McIllham 

supporting H Rider Haggard’s 

observations, he stated: “ I believe 

the sparrow pest would in a few 

years would be brought quite 

under control”. Sadly, his words 

of some 112 years ago have 

become prophetically true. Our 

role now as 21st century 

observers of the past is to work with nature now to try and 

conserve the declining numbers of the humble sparrow. 

Pennie Alford

BINHAM MEMORIAL HALL 

100+ Club winners 

July winners: £25 Mr Mike Calvert, £10 Jenny 

Hewitt, Mr Tony Pepper, £5 Kevin Cooke, Jane Groom, 

Mrs Clare Winkley 

August winners: £25 Clive and Liz Brady, £10 Sheila 

Law, Mark Bartram, £5 Nora Bond, Neil McArthur, Lucy 

Walduck 

If anyone would like to join the 100+ Club, please call at 

8 Priory Crescent or ring June Read on 01328 830106. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

Happiness is when what you think, 

what you say, and what you do are 

all in harmony. (M. Gandhi 1869-1948) 

COCKTHORPE 

Contact: Maurice Matthews 01328 830350 

maurice.matthews@peppard.net 

No news from Cockthorpe this time. 

FIELD DALLING 

Contact: Julie Wiltshire 

julie_wilson75@hotmail.com 

ST ANDREW’S CHURCH 

We are very pleased that the latest announcement about 

social distancing does not prevent us gathering for worship, 

though we are asked not to gather at the back of church for 

chat at the end, rather to go outside and natter as we 

disperse! 

In October, we will therefore welcome folk to celebrate 

Harvest Festival at 11am on Sunday October 11th, and to 

join us for Morning Prayer at 11am on Sunday October 

25th. Do bring gifts as usual for harvest and they will be 

distributed to the food bank and Glaven Caring as usual. 

On November 8th, we remember those lost in war. The 

service is in Field Dalling this year and will start at 

10.45am. Morning prayer takes place at 11am on Sunday 

November 22nd. 

For the past 6 months, we have been running weekly 

services on Zoom and these have proved really popular, 

with over 100 joining us on Easter Day, around 66 until 

churches reopened in July, and between 20 and 30 since; we 

even have about a dozen friends and family from North 

Carolina! We are very grateful to members of the Zoom 

congregation and others who have made donations to their 

church in lieu of collections during this period; you have 

been most generous. 

The needs have changed as churches have reopened and 

a monthly Zoom Evensong service will now take place on 

the first Sunday of each month, at 5pm. Do contact Ian 

Newton on iannewton46@gmail.com (01328 830947) if 

you would like to hook up; everyone is, of course, most 

welcome. 

Ian Newton 

Churchyard 

Take a gentle stroll around the old churchyard. Now that 

a trusty band of villagers have done the annual strim and 

rake of the long grasses and wildflowers, it is possible to 

have a quiet wander, and ponder the names of our forebears 

who are buried in our churchyard. Mind your footing 

though - there are humps and bumps a-plenty. 

Fiona Newton 

QUIET DAY 

Once again, in Binham Priory, on 1st October beginning 

at 10.30am. The Revd Canon Susanna Gunner will be 

leading us in a chance for a mini Retreat. Sign up with Fiona 

Newton on 01328 830 947, fionanewton46@gmail.com or 

Maureen Frost on 01328 830362. 

BEREAVEMENT GROUP 

Friday October 9th, 4.00-5.30pm at Manor Farm 

Cottage, 67 Langham Road, Field Dalling. 

This confidential group is for any who have experienced 

loss. 

We shall be seated well apart, but close in understanding 

of the feelings of sadness. Contact: Fiona Newton 01328 

830947; fionanewton46@gmail.com. 

VILLAGERS’ HALL 

www.fdands.org 

At the time of writing, we are in the process of putting 

measures in place to safely re-open the hall for bookings; 

this will be done in line with Government guidelines. 

If you wish to book the hall, please make contact via the 

website, or contact Julie Wiltshire (07908 262502). 

200 CLUB WINNERS 

July: £50 Henry Wiltshire; £25 Judy Dunn; £15 Ian Ladley 

August: £50 John Spooner; £25 Mary Adcock; £15 G. Peel 

VILLAGE SERVICES 

Mobile Post Office 

This visits the Villagers’ Hall every Wednesday from 

10.20am to 10.50am. Onboard you will find a range of 

groceries as well as postal services. 

Feast Van 

Every Tuesday at Highfield from 6pm to 7pm. Feast 

offers a range of burgers along with sides. To pre-order, ring 

07957 917508. 

14

GUNTHORPE 

Contact: John Blakeley 01263 861008 

jbconsult@btinternet.com 

www.gunthorpefriends.co.uk 

FOGPC 

50/50 Club Draw Results 

July 

August 

David Partridge £20.00 William Worsley £20.00 

John Corney £15.00 Andrew Ryde £15.00 

H White £5.00 Steve Snelling £5.00 

Donald Burton £5.00 John Lemberger £5.00 

Richard Francis £5.00 Noel Hinton £5.00 

Sandy Wallace £5.00 Christine Foster £5.00 

Lindy Soame £5.00 Roland Bohn £5.00 

As readers will know the Covid-19 restrictions have led 

to the cancellation of our monthly coffee mornings, and at 

the time of writing we do not know how long it will be 

before they can re-start. We had hoped that if there was 

support amongst members for us to re-start in a different 

way, eg bring your own refreshments, we could have done 

so in September. Sadly the tighter restrictions introduced in 

early September mean this can no longer be considered, at 

least for the moment. However, the monthly draws have and 

will continue, with an independent person making the draw, 

and the results for the July and August draws are given 

above. 

We started the new subscription year with 137 members 

of the Club; a record! Thank you to all who have joined or 

renewed their memberships. As a reminder it costs just 

£1.00 per month (payable in advance for the year to May 

2021) to join and you can get your subscriptions and more 

back if you are lucky enough to win a prize. Importantly the 

50:50 Club has contributed over £1,100 to the “Friends” 

funds as we finish this subscription year. With events such 

as the Friends July BBQ having to be cancelled this is an 

important contribution to maintaining the Friends income. 

Payments can also include your “Friends” membership 

of a minimum of £5.00 per annum (or part of a year). 

BACS payments can be made as detailed below, but please 

inform John Blakeley (e-mail: jbconsult@btinternet.com) if 

you pay by BACS (date and amount) so that records can be 

kept up to date and you do not miss the chance to participate 

in your first qualifying draw. The Friends membership and 

any other donation, but not the 50:50 Club subscriptions, 

can be Gift Aided and if you have not already completed a 

form we would, be most grateful if you could consider 

doing this – provided you are and remain a taxpayer of 

course. 

NAT WEST Bank plc 

Sort code 53-50-73 

Account number 25727532 

To again quote the motto of a somewhat larger lottery 

can we remind you that “you have to be in it to win it!” 

Myfi Everett & John Blakeley 

ST MARY’S CHURCH NEWS 

With great sadness we have to report that Gunthorpe is 

losing Penny and David Brough. They move to Blakeney 

this month. This is a grievous blow for the whole village 

community, and most particularly for the church. It is a 

comfort that they are not going far, and that they promise 

not to lose touch with their many friends in Gunthorpe. 

Penny and David bought Bunn’s Cottage in 1989. David 

was working as a ship broker in London but they came for 

all possible weekends and holidays with their three children, 

and from then on have given unstinting support to every 

aspect of village life. 

They have had interesting lives, about which they have 

always been exceedingly modest. Before his shipping career 

David was an officer in the Parachute Regiment; Penny, an 

excellent cook working abroad and in London. 

David in his fifties, still unnervingly tough in body and 

spirit, was selected out of many applicants from all works of 

life for a place to sail round the world in the Global 

Challenge. 

When David had retired in 2009 they came to live here 

permanently. The Church was somewhat rudderless. They 

pulled it round in no time. Penny took on the tough role of 

Churchwarden, David that of Treasurer; and they have run it 

like clockwork since, working with Ian our much loved 

Rector and latterly with Richard Redmayne as cochurchwarden. 

A special extra pleasure has been Penny and David’s 

innovation of coffee and more in the church after each 

service, with everyone in fine spirits after high-spirited 

organ improvisations from Martin Jacklin our organist. 

Ever anxious to do more, in 2017 David pedalled from 

Land’s End to John O’Groats with spirited logistical support 

from Penny in a camper van which (mostly successfully) 

she manoeuvred through the lanes and tight streets along the 

way. They raised £8,500 for Gunthorpe Church and the 

Norfolk Churches Trust. 

The list of what they have done for the community and 

individuals here would take pages (but not least for the 

village fête each year and the annual Norfolk Churches 

15

Trust bicycle ride) - but it is their thoughtfulness and 

concern for others in the village for which they will most be 

missed. 

Boating, biking and tennis - and looking after others - 

will keep them busy, not far away. A huge thank you from 

us all. 

Finally we offer our very best wishes to Katherine 

Prideaux, the daughter of Mr & Mrs James Prideaux of 

Orchard House, Bale who married James Bibby at St 

Mary’s on 5 th September. Only 20 people could attend, but 

the occasion was a joyous one and the church looked as 

lovely as for any wedding. We wish them every happiness 

as they start their new married life together. 

FRIENDS OF GUNTHORPE 

PARISH CHURCH 

I would again like to send a huge thank you to John 

Blakeley for his collection of the new year’s membership 

fees for both the Friends and the and 50/50 Club – and to all 

of you for joining or renewing your subscriptions! 

Here we are heading into a season of uncertainty - 

hoping for the best and pre-preparing for whatever may 

come. After 26 years of Gunthorpe Village Harvest Suppers 

(I think my favourite event of the Friends’ year), I hope it is 

not too long before we are able to meet, share news, enjoy 

each other’s company and celebrate together again. In 

substitution for the annual invitation to the Friends 

Gunthorpe Village Harvest Supper, I leave you with these 

‘Harvesty-Words’ - that seem somehow covidlyappropriate. 

They are from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: 

“It is the Harvest Moon! On Gilded vanes 

And roofs of villages, on woodland crests. 

And their aerial neighbourhoods of nests 

Deserted, on the curtained window-panes 

Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes 

And harvest fields, its mystic splendour rests!” 

Stay well, stay safe and enjoy the autumn months ahead. 

Marie Denholm, Friends chairman 

GUNTHORPE WARD - NNUH 

Melanie Griggs the Sister in charge of Gunthorpe Ward 

has kindly given us an article to tell the story of the Ward 

during the first months of Covid-19 - I guess that other 

wards at the NNUH had a similar experience. It is quite a 

story and shows just how much all our NHS staff did to get 

us through this unprecedented pandemic. 

Back at the beginning of the COVID pandemic myself 

and my team learned that Gunthorpe Ward would be 

designated ‘yellow’ and therefore we would be caring for 

patients who were COVID 19 positive. We did this for three 

months. From the very start we decided to keep confident 

and always support each other. 

The planning and organisation for this was incredible 

and I cannot remember anything similar in scale in all of my 

experience at the hospital. I feel we prepared well for the 

outbreak – as soon as we were informed we would be 

looking after very unwell patients, all of my staff and myself 

did additional training on non–invasive ventilation, 

tracheotomy care and blood gas analysis. Learning these 

new skills was vital and helped us to free up beds, bringing 

patients into the ward directly from Accident and 

Emergency or Intensive Care. We all also went through 

training in the use of the PPE we were required to wear 

while caring for COVID patients - masks, gown, hat, 

goggles, visor and gloves. 

Working in a ‘yellow’ ward was of course challenging. 

We were required to care for extremely poorly patients, who 

at the time were unable to have relatives to visit due to the 

strict restrictions around traffic through the hospital. But we 

went the extra mile to keep regular contact with the families, 

using iPads for example, and we also allowed some 

patient’s relatives into the ward, wearing the appropriate 

PPE provided by us, to say their last goodbyes to their loved 

ones. 

It was extremely sad to see some of the very poorly 

patients passing away and we often shared our thoughts 

about them as a team. But we also discharged patients back 

to their home and residential care. It was very heart 

warming to see the cards and letters sent in appreciation 

from grateful patients and their families. 

We were also amazed by all the gifts sent to us by 

members of the public. We received all kinds of wonderful 

things such as food, flowers, fruit and vegetables, hand 

cream, pizza, homemade cakes - too many things to 

mention. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of so 

many people, often given anonymously so we were unable 

to send thanks. 

I am really proud of the team’s positive attitude and the 

way we all pulled together, and I believe that as a result of 

all our shared experiences throughout the pandemic the 

team is closer now than it has ever been. 

Gunthorpe Ward is now designated as ‘green’ which 

means we have no patients who are COVID positive. 

Melanie Griggs 

JOHN ARTHUR CHAPMAN 

Many villagers will be aware that Arthur Chapman’s 

name is commemorated on the Gunthorpe village war 

memorial (without the John) and in the list of fallen inside 

St Mary’s church. He was the grandfather of villager 

Thelma Chapman who married local man Colin Dewing in 

1963 (see Lynx 133). This edition of the Lynx covers 

Remembrance Sunday so it is very appropriate to report that 

in recently looking through some of his late wife’s items 

Colin found the so called “Death Plaque” for Thelma’s 

grandfather who was a casualty of 

WW1. These plaques were made 

from bronze and resulted from a 

decision by the British Government 

in 1916 that a commemorative 

plaque should be given to the next 

of kin for those men and women 

whose deaths were due to the First 

World War. It was also known 

16

amongst the troops as the “Dead Man’s Penny” or 

“Widow’s Penny”. 

Private Chapman was serving with the 1 st /5 th Battalion of 

the Norfolk Regiment when he was a casualty in the ill fated 

eight month campaign in Gallipoli - which was fought by 

Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force 

Turkey out of the war; to relieve the deadlock of the 

Western Front in France and Belgium and to open a supply 

route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. 

The Allies landed on the peninsula on 25-26th April 

1915; the 29th Division at Cape Helles in the south and the 

Australian and New Zealand Corps north of Gaba Tepe on 

the west coast, an area soon known as Anzac. On 6th 

August, further landings were made at Suvla, just north of 

Anzac, and it was here that John Arthur Chapman was 

killed, when in early August simultaneous assaults were 

launched on all three fronts. He died on 21st August. The 

difficult terrain and strong Turkish resistance resulted in the 

stalemate of trench warfare - a stalemate only broken when 

the peninsula was successfully evacuated in December and 

early January 1916 in a defeat for the British and the then 

Empire forces fighting with France and Russia as part of the 

Triple Entente alliance. 

INSTITUTE NEWS 

Further to the news in the last Lynx magazine, the 

Institute Committee has now ordered a defibrillator, and we 

await delivery for a Cardiac Science PowerHeart G5 AED - 

the automatic version. Once installed training on its use will 

be available in groups of up to eight or ten at the institute. A 

further update regarding this will be circulated in due 

course. 

16 GUNTHORPE 

In issue 133, with assistance from David and Elizabeth 

Cass, we told the story of the M&GN Railway crossing at 

the gatehouse known as 16 Gunthorpe. Sadly it was not 

always the safest crossing as the following article 

illustrates. 

Lynn Advertiser - 21 December l895 

"District News - Briningham” 

Fatal Railway Accident 

On the 13th inst. Mr. H.R. Culley inquired into the cause 

of the death of Mary Anne Bailey, aged 64 years, a nurse of 

Gunthorpe, who was killed on a level railway crossing as 

described in the evidence. R.W.Wadlow, a platelayer on the 

Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway at Briningham, 

said the deceased had been nursing his wife who was 

confined on Monday. Witness lived at the gate-house, his 

wife was employed by the company to attend the gates and 

since Sunday the nurse had been taking his wife's duties, to 

which she was not accustomed. 

Fredrick Mayor of South Lynn, the engine-driver, said 

he drove the 8:51 train from Melton Constable to South 

Lynn on that Thursday. He left Melton four minutes late, 

and on approaching No. 16 Gunthorpe gate crossing, a 

public road, about a mile from Melton saw one of the gates 

across the line and at once sounded the whistle and applied 

the brakes. When he first saw the gate the engine was 

about100 yards off. He could not see further ahead in 

consequence of a thick fog. He saw Bailey attempting 

apparently to move the bar at the bottom of the gate, and she 

remained endeavouring to open the gate till the engine 

struck it. She had a handkerchief tied over her head and 

ears, and witness did not see her look at all in the direction 

of the train. When he first saw her the train was travelling at 

35 miles an hour, which pace was reduced to 18 miles an 

hour before the engine knocked the woman down. When 

witness managed to pull the train up the rear carriage was 

about 20 yards beyond the crossing. Had Bailey left the gate 

©AndrewMoncur 

17

the moment witness blew the whistle she would have had 

plenty of time to get out of the way. 

Charles Skerry, of Lynn, inspector of permanent way 

said he was in the train that knocked the woman down. He 

noticed the whistle, and observed that the train was quickly 

slackening, but when, he looked out it was passing the gatehouse. 

Directly the train stopped, he got out and saw the 

driver, who said the engine had gone over the gate-keeper. 

Witness saw the body of deceased lying between the rails, 

27 yards from the crossing, and he judged that death was 

instantaneous. One of the gates was smashed. 

Theodore Graham Gribble of Sheringham, assistant 

engineer, said he knew the locality in which Bailey was 

killed and produced a plan of it. He thought the reason why 

she was unable to get the gate open was in consequence of 

her being paralysed with fear from the approach of the train. 

The jury found a verdict of “Accidental Death” and 

attached blame to nobody. 

Notes 

(1) The child Ruth Wadlow was confined with at the 

time of the accident was named Winifred Amy. 

(2) Those who have read Bob Bambridge’s story 

published in earlier editions of the Lynx may recall that the 

crossing continued to be a danger to Gunthorpe residents 

heading to the Melton Road. This is what Bob recalled: 

I remember well the level crossing and gate house at the 

Swanton crossroads. When I was young, the Wadlows were 

living there, and they were later succeeded by the Dewings. 

One or two of us had narrow escapes when using the 

crossing. Once I was going by horse and cart from 

Gunthorpe to Herbert Allcock’s Smithy at Swanton Novers, 

probably to collect something left for repair. The crossing 

gates were usually left closed to road traffic then and were 

only opened on request. Mrs Wadlow turned the large 

wheel to open the gates to me, but had not seen that at that 

moment a train was on its way. I hadn’t quite got across 

before the train shot through; it smashed the gates, and just 

struck the end of my cart. 

Some years later, when Mrs Dewing was looking after 

the gates for 1/6 [7.5p) per week, Frank Grief had a similar 

experience. He was going in his pony and trap to meet his 

father at the station. Mrs Dewing opened the gates when a 

train was on its way and Frank had started across before he 

saw the danger. At the last moment he managed to pull the 

pony’s head round, and get it and the trap out of the way 

before the engine arrived. It struck the gates, knocked one of 

them clear back and smashed the other. 

In Mrs Dewing’s time Mr Wakefield, whose father-inlaw 

was at White Horse Farm, used to pass the gates in the 

very early hours of the morning in either his motorcycle or 

Austin Seven. He used to open the gates himself, and the 

signal warning operated from Melton would show him 

whether or not it was safe to do so. As this whole operation 

was likely to take him some time he used to leave his vehicle 

on the slope and in gear, so that he could make a quick 

getaway. 

John Blakeley 

LANGHAM 

Contact: Christina Cooper 01328 830207 

christinacooper27@googlemail.com 

LANGHAM VILLAGE HALL 

REOPENING 

The Village Hall Committee continues to look at the reopening 

of the hall as soon as possible, dependent upon 

government advice updates and any local issues in the 

county. Once the committee is assured that use of the hall 

18

during these difficult times can be handled in a safe and 

manageable manner, ensuring the safety of all of our users, 

then we can start to initiate a re-opening. In the next few 

weeks, a review of the steps required to facilitate this will be 

taken to enable a safe re-opening and those measures will be 

published on the village website in due course. In the near 

future user groups will be contacted to discuss re-opening. 

Langham Village Hall Committee 

LANGHAM PAROCHIAL COUNCIL 

I am delighted to announce that my plea for help with 

the flag fund did not fall on deaf ears, so we can invest in a 

couple of replacement flags. After three months of 

continuous flying, the Union flag is showing signs of wear. 

Sadly the church tree appeal did fall on deaf ears. As 

mentioned in the last edition of Lynx, there is a considerable 

amount of tree work that needs to be undertaken in the 

churchyard and we are raising funds to assist with the cost 

of this, half of which we can obtain through a grant. The 

total cost is £10,000 so any donations would be gratefully 

received If you would like more information or to make a 

donation, please contact me on 01328 830276 or 

edwardallen.kgt@gmail.com. 

Edward Allen, Churchwarden 

REMEMBRANCE DAY 

Sunday 8th November 

On this day 80 years after the Battle of Britain and 

75 years after the end of World War II. 

The service will commence at 10.50am. 

FAREWELL 

This is a very cheery good bye from the Hughes family. 

We will only be moving a short distance - Holt to be exact!! 

To all our lovely friends - we say thank you for 20 years 

of great times. You have put up with being bored witless by 

me prattling about grandkids and family in general. We love 

the fact that you never said “oh no not again”. We have 

loved this village and especially our house. We have loved it 

and hope the new family will enjoy living here as much as 

we have. When we moved in we were two but over the 

years our extended family has grown - 4 grandys who love 

coming to visit and crabbing - many dogs have passed 

through too. Jan has partly adopted Gracie and Harry - they 

love her raspberry jam! 

Reasons for going - the garden has become a bit of a 

chore instead of a joy so we think that a smaller plot would 

be good. We have enjoyed your company and friendship 

which we hope will carry on as we are only in Holt. Come 

for coffee! 

Thank you Langham for 20 very good years! 

Sue and John 

 

 

 

 

 

A LITTLE LIGHT RELIEF 

Time For Some Puns... 

No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still 

be stationery. 

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put 

it down. 

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, then it 

dawned on me. 

This girl today said she recognised me from the 

Vegetarians Club, but I’d swear I’ve never met 

herbivore. 

A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months. 

19 

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought 

tooth and nail. 

Police were summoned to a day care centre where a 

three-year-old was resisting a rest. 

He had a photographic memory but it was never fully 

developed. 

Acupuncture is a jab well done. That’s the point of 

it. 

And Some Silly Jokes…. 

Q: Are mountains funny? 

A: Yes they’re hillareas. 

Q: What do you call a group of babies? 

A: An infantry. 

Q: What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh 

have in common? 

A: The same middle name. 

Q: How do NASA organise a party? 

A: They planet. 

Q: What did the left eye say to the right eye? 

A: Between you and me something smells. 

Reproduced by kind permission of a pensioners’ association 

news magazine 

LIBRARY SERVICES ONLINE 

The mobile library service is currently suspended due to 

Covid-19 regulations. However, the Norfolk County 

Council does provide an online service of ebooks, eaudio 

books and emagazines that library members can download 

for free, with no reservation or overdue charges. If you’re 

not a member you can join online too. Click on the link 

below or type into your search bar for more information. 

https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-local-history-andarchives/libraries/find-an-item/ebooks-and-eaudio. 

MORSTON 

Contact: Jock Wingfield 01263 740431 

jocelynwingfield@gmail.com 

DIARY DATES 

Sun 8th Nov. Remembrance Day Parade. 1.50pm 

parade for 2pm start of church service.

CHILDREN RESCUE VETERAN 

SAILOR IN MORSTON CREEK 

from EDP article by Donna Louise Bishop, 

1 September 2020 

Two young children have been hailed heroes after 

saving the life of a retired businessman who fell into a creek 

and began sinking into the water and mud. 

photo ©Amies family 

Isla Amies, aged 12, and her eight-year-old brother, Pip, 

rescued 87-year-old James Tillett after he fell off the Cockle 

Pontoon in Morston creek and became stuck. 

During the last hour of the incoming tide on Sunday, 

August 30, at Morston in north Norfolk, 87-year-old James 

Tillett fell off the Cockle Pontoon in the creek and became 

stuck while attending to his boat. 

The dingy sailor, who also 

lost his glasses during his fall, 

hit his face, hands, and back on 

the metal chains holding down 

the pontoon. Unable to see, he 

became trapped beneath the 

pontoon and began to fear the 

worst. 

photo ©Stiffkey Cockle Sailing Club 

James Tillett leading the pack in 

Blakeney Pit. photo ©Stiffkey 

Cockle Sailing Club 

He said: “It was an alarming experience, particularly 

with tide still coming in. 

“I was sinking in the mud and very aware that I couldn’t 

manage on my own.” 

With no way of calling for help, thankfully his situation 

was spotted by two schoolchildren - Isla Amies, aged 12, 

and her eight-year-old brother, Pip - who were waiting for 

their family to return from sailing. 

The pair managed to navigate the mud and tide to get 

him to safety. 

Mr Tillett added: “I was terribly cold, shivering and 

very, very muddy when they got me out. 

“I was thrilled that they also grabbed a boat hook and 

rescued my new hat and, when the tide turned, they thought 

to return and find my glasses which was exceptionally kind 

and thoughtful of the young people.” 

Mr Tillett’s daughter, Kate White, said she was grateful 

to the pair for helping her father, who was later taken to 

hospital. 

She said: “They are on holiday here and have family 

links to Norfolk. They are clearly comfortable around these 

waters which was crucial in this rescue.” 

Cecilia Amies, mother of Isla and Pip, said they were 

both very pleased to have been able to help. 

The children, who are from Cambridge, said: “It was a 

really cold and windy day. 

“We were standing on the pontoon when we suddenly 

heard him slip, We turned and saw him topple into the 

water. It was quite alarming to see him trapped under the 

pontoon as we didn’t know whether he could get out or 

even if he could breath. 

“When he managed to get out it looked like he was in a 

lot of pain and he was being very brave. 

“There was a lot of blood. It was nearly impossible for 

him to stand in the mud, and he kept slipping back under the 

20 

pontoon. It was a big relief when we managed to get him 

out. 

“We saw his hat floating down the creek with the tide 

but we managed to get a boat hook and retrieve it. 

“He looked very shaken up so it’s great to know that 

he’s okay.” 

The pair, who had come with their family to Morston for 

the day to sail their Drascombe Lugger moored in the creek, 

said they were pleased to have been able to help and return 

his glasses. 

Ms White added: “On behalf of James and all our family 

we would like to thank Isla and Pip for their quick thinking 

and bravery in helping my father James out of the creek at 

Morston.” 

Mr Tillett, who suffered extensive bruising and cuts, 

returned home from hospital on Monday. 

NORFOLK DIALECT 

In Morston we dodmans all know the modern names for 

our Quiz teams’ dialect names: BARLEY-BIRD – 

nightingale; a barney bee or barnabee – a ladybird; 

DODMAN– a snail or Morstoner; GREENOLPH – a 

greenfinch; MACAROONS - fops; MINIFERS – stoats; 

MOUSE-HUNTS - stoats ; NATTLERS – bustlers; 

PISHMIRES - ants, etc but there are many other lovely 

words in Norfolk dialect. For example; billy-wix = an owl; 

bosky – tipsy; bunks = a rabbit; a caddaw or caddow = a 

jackdaw; acors = because; a bandy = a hare; dwile = a 

dishcloth; a fangast = a young lady ready for wedlock; fennightingale 

= a frog; a flitter-mouse = a bat; harnser or 

hansey = a heron; a carnser or cansey = a causeway; a pick 

-cheese or wash-dish = a titmouse; a polliwiggle or 

purwiggle = a tadpole or baby frog; puttock = a kite or 

cormorant; roblet = a large chicken or young cockerel; a sea 

-pye = an oystercatcher; shannock = a native of 

Sheringhsam; skip or skep = a beehive; smoucher = a 

smuggler; sowpig = a woodlouse; spink = a chaffinch; a 

sprat-mowe = a herring gull; a want = a mole; widdles = 

very young ducklings; wind-hover = the kestrel; woodsprite 

= the woodpecker; Remember Parson Melham! = 

drink up, don’t delay by preaching! 

More in next issue. 

MORSTON QUIZ QUESTIONS 

By Samphire 

(Answers on page 25) 

1. What did the baton replace for conducting an orchestra? 

2. Marble is formed by the metamorphosis of which rock? 

3. Who tells the tales of “The Thousand and One Nights”? 

4. What was Queen Victoria first “not amused” by?

5. In which country did polo originate? 

6. What do we call human-like robots? 

7. What does “Laser” stand for? 

8. On the logo of an iPod which side of the apple is missing? 

9. What is Cervantes’ parody of chivalric literature called? 

10. What is the official language of Iran? 

11. What is the capital of Nigeria? 

12. Which Mexican state’s name and state capital are also 

the name of a small breed of dog? 

SAXLINGHAM 

Contact: John Pridham 01328 831851 

jcwpridham@gmail.com 

ST MARGARET’S 

CHURCH 

As you may have seen, great progress 

has been made with the bat boxes now in 

place under the Vestry ceiling . (photo 

right) 

SEASONAL SIGHTS 

As I enjoyed one of those lovely crisp early morning 

walks along Tansy Lane I was told about the benefits of ivy 

and bees. This is because when autumn brings ivy into 

flower this is the only time to see the ivy bee. 

Another more puzzling sight was noticed much earlier in 

the summer on looking across the adjoining meadow. What 

was moving up and down through the undergrowth, the top 

of which was only visible? A thin vertical pole with what 

could have been a small radar device or anything else 

unimaginable was moving through the vegetation seemingly 

under its own power. Then a head appeared moving with it. 

It was only later on and on closer inspection that it was 

observed to be a small quad bike scanning for ground levels. 

Reassuring that on that day Saxlingham had not been 

visited by anything extra-terrestrial! 

SHARRINGTON 

Contact: Claire Dubbins 01263 862261 

cdubbins@btinternet.com 

www.sharrington.org.uk 

their economies. These same people volunteered in the next 

conflict having their hearts still in the old country. 

History was repeated after the Second World War but 

this time it was with our Commonwealth community 

sending us workers. They came from many far flung 

countries to rebuild our factories and take on jobs that we 

were unable to fill with local labour. 

The baby boomers of post war Britain had many 

luxuries their forebears would never have dreamed of. 

These included washing machines, television, central 

heating, owning their own homes and motor cars, so many 

things that needed workers in factories. Cities grew and 

housing there rose into the sky to accommodate them. 

Our village life changed. No longer were men out 

ploughing the fields and tending stock. There were bigger 

and better machines to do most of the labour intensive work 

on our farms so more people piled into the towns and cities 

where there was potential employment. The communities of 

the villages withered as homes became vacant throughout 

the day as people went to work in nearby towns. 

But all that changed with Covid-19. Towns and cities 

became a prison. Nowhere to go with shops and businesses 

shut. What to do with all this time on their hands with no 

work and no way to go on that holiday abroad? 

Those of us lucky enough to live here found we too had 

time on our hands but were truly fortunate to have the wide 

open spaces to enjoy, gardens in which to grow produce and 

neighbours with whom we were able to share our bounty. 

There are no nameless people next door who no one knows 

or cares about. We are a community again, helping each 

other with everyday problems. 

It is frustrating when the ‘visitors’ arrive and make our 

lives a bit busier than usual but when they go home, just like 

when this pandemic is officially over, we will have a richer 

local community. 

Ann Abrams 

DRINK UP TO CHEER UP 

Like so many events stalled by the 2019 vintage of the 

Coronavirus, the final tasting of the sixth season of the 

Noble Rotters wine club, was due to take place at the end of 

March. All the wines were ready for opening and the tasting 

notes had been circulated amongst members when the old 

normal disappeared in a flash. 

So, with lockdown over and community halls allowed to 

re-open, the wines of the Rhône Valley were lined up once 

again for members to sniff, sip and savour. With hand 

sanitiser not the only alcohol on offer and tables carefully 

positioned to achieve the required two metre gap, masked 

members took their seats in the almost breezy village hall. 

Armed with their own glasses they approached the bar one 

SPANISH FLU AND THE 

PANDEMIC NOW 

How our lives have changed, not just recently with the 

latest pandemic, but in the intervening years since the 

pandemic known as Spanish flu. 

Then our brave fighters brought back home a virus as 

well as the wounds of conflict. People then little realised 

there would be another conflict within their lifetime. 

The depression in the 1920’s that followed the first 

conflict, was hard and people had to once again leave their 

homes to find work. Countries that were then part of the 

Commonwealth beckoned our able bodied to reconstruct 

21

y one to receive just a little more than a thimble full of a 

Lirac Blanc and a Viognier. The masks covered the smiles 

but the eyes told the story. A quiet start; not much 

socialising from a distance but positive comments; the 

wines were good. 

One more white from Saint-Peray, before we moved 

onto the red wines with proven anti-viral activity. Not that 

the science has identified yet any effect on Covid-19, but the 

increasingly jolly faces clearly showed the positive impact 

on wellbeing. Seven wines illustrated just some of many 

areas that produce wines in the Rhône. Costières de Nîmes, 

Lirac, Vacqueyras and Gigondas from the south of the 

valley; Crozes-Hermitage, Chateâuneuf du Pape and Saint- 

Joseph from the more pricey north. 

Socially distant, sensible, safe but very welcome 

socialising in the company of 10 pretty decent wines. 

Season six came to a close with members happily 

clasping the odd bottle as they headed home. And season 

seven? Well, hopefully we will have made a start by the end 

of September. 

Chief Rotter 

CHURCH NOTES 

Writing this in early September, but looking forward to 

what the autumn and winter may bring, it is hard to say how 

and when Sharrington church will resume its normal pattern 

of services and a post Covid-19 celebratory service cannot 

yet be planned. 

However, thanks to Martyn’s commitment to opening 

the church each day the church has been able to welcome 

more visitors than ever during the summer. Some people 

have been looking for ancestors graves and others have 

enjoyed the peace and calm which has been so badly needed 

over the past few months. The brasses and corbels have 

been admired and many have left messages in the visitors 

book, all positive and appreciative of our efforts to keep the 

church cleaned and with fresh flowers and the churchyard 

kept in trim. 

Once churches were allowed to reopen for worship 

fortnightly services have taken place here at the usual time 

of 9.30am on Sundays. Services across the benefice have 

continued and the timing and location of these can be found 

at the front of the Lynx or on the noticeboard outside the 

church gates. 

Zoom services, led by Revd Fiona Newton continued 

through the summer with participants joining in from not 

only the benefice but all parts of the country as well as from 

abroad. These will continue once a month, on the first 

Sunday of each month at 5pm. 

Although we were not able to celebrate the 75 th 

anniversary of VJ Day in the way we had hoped, Pippa’s 

beautiful flower arrangement and bunting were to be found 

outside the gates and inside Sheila Hannant’s account of her 

father’s experience in the Far East, which appeared in the 

last issue of The Lynx, was featured on the wall with a 

flower and poppy display on the table underneath. 

The collection and transport of the food bank items to 

Fakenham continued throughout and the generosity of 

22 

donors is much appreciated. With an uncertain time ahead 

and winter looming this essential service will still be 

needed. Donations can now be left in the box at the back of 

the church and you can be assured that they will be 

gratefully received. 

Our cyclists are getting ready for the annual bike ride in 

September organised by the Norfolk Churches Trust and 

hope to raise a goodly sum in aid of All Saints church. More 

news of that in the next issue. 

At the moment it is not possible to say what services will 

take place to mark important occasions such as 

Remembrance Sunday and Christmas celebrations but rest 

assured that much thought is being given on how to achieve 

this and every effort will be made to let the village know the 

plans. 

In the meantime please keep an eye on the Sharrington 

church Facebook page for up to the minute news. CD 

STIFFKEY 

Contact: Dr.Sally Vanson 01328 830560 

dr.sallyvanson@gmail.com 

GENERAL NEWS 

Thank you very much to all who contributed to our last 

issue. We have had great feedback about getting Stiffkey 

back on the map. It was a fabulous surprise after the article 

in the last Local Lynx to see that our precious chalk river 

was cleaned at the end of July. Many thanks to those 

involved. 

There is not so much Stiffkey news in this issue due to 

holidays and closures due to Covid, however we have a 

couple of new items. 

If you would like to place an advert, these cost £12 per 

issue and is certainly good value for local small businesses 

and services. 

As usual, feel free to suggest or contribute anything else 

of interest including poems, short stories, and recipes. I need 

your offerings by 5th of the month on alternate months 

(from November) although I am happy to receive them 

whenever it’s easier for you. I have been taking news from 

the Facebook pages for the village and for local societies. If 

you do not want your news shared in The Local Lynx please 

let me know. Contact me at dr.sallyvanson@gmail.com. 

Autumnal Recipe 

Savoury Muffins 

These are lovely to make in advance and take out hiking 

with your usual flask. Makes 12. You will need a muffin 

tray well-greased or lined with parchment squares or paper 

cases. 

2 cups of self-raising flour (or plain flour + 2 tsp baking 

powder) 

1tsp salt 

A good grind of pepper 

Half a cup finely chopped ham (grated courgette, 

sweetcorn or carrot if you want vegi ones) 

1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms 

1 small red pepper finely chopped 

1/2 cup of strong cheese, coarsely grated 

1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan 

125g melted butter or 125ml vegetable oil 

1 cup of milk 

1 egg lightly beaten

In one bowl mix the wet ingredients (last 3) and in a 

separate bowl mix the remaining ingredients together. 

Combine the wet and dry, mix together until just about 

combined, do not over mix and don't worry if it looks a 

mess. Spoon immediately into muffin tin and bake 15 -20 

minutes at 180° C. 

These freeze well, wrap individually and you can take 

straight from the freezer, microwave approx. 20 seconds 

and serve. 

NORTH NORFOLK BOOK WORMS 

Lockdown has led us to continue meeting on Zoom, 

setting ourselves up by our computers with our wine, tea or 

beverage of choice. The library is now open so we are 

looking forward to borrowing books again. In the meantime 

we have three recommendations for the autumn:- 

The Secret Barrister – by The Secret Barrister 

"I’m a barrister, a job which requires the skills of a social 

worker, relationship counsellor, arm-twister, hostage 

negotiator, named driver, bus fare-provider, accountant, 

suicide watchman, coffee-supplier, surrogate parent and, on 

one memorable occasion, whatever the official term is for 

someone tasked with breaking the news to a prisoner that 

his girlfriend has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea.” 

Welcome to the world of the Secret Barrister. These are 

the stories of life inside the courtroom. They are sometimes 

funny, often moving, and ultimately life-changing. How can 

you defend a child-abuser you suspect to be guilty? What do 

you say to someone sentenced to 10 years who you believe 

to be innocent? What is the law and why do we need it? 

And why do they wear those stupid wigs? From the 

criminals to the lawyers, the victims, witnesses, and officers 

of the law, here is the best and worst of humanity, all 

struggling within a broken system which would never be off 

the front pages if the public knew what it was really like. 

Both a searing first-hand account of the human cost of the 

criminal justice system, and a guide to how we got into this 

mess, The Secret Barrister wants to show you what it’s 

really like and why it really matters. 

The Giver of Stars – by JoJo Moyes 

Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van 

Cleve hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But 

small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally 

claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing 

father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women 

to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new 

travelling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically. The 

leader, and soon Alice's greatest ally, is Margery, a smarttalking, 

self-sufficient woman who's never asked a man's 

permission for anything. They will be joined by three other 

singular women who become known as the Packhorse 

Librarians of Kentucky. 

What happens to them--and to the men they love-- 

becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, 

humanity and passion. These heroic women refuse to be 

cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all 

kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times 

breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed 

to their job: bringing books to people who have never had 

any, arming them with facts that will change their lives. 

Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The 

Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its 

storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined 

to become a modern classic; a richly rewarding novel of 

women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens 

when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond. 

The Dressmakers Gift – by Fiona Valpy 

From the bestselling author of The Beekeeper’s Promise 

comes a gripping story of three young women faced with 

impossible choices. How will history – and their families – 

judge them in Paris, 1940. With the city occupied by the 

Nazis, three young seamstresses go about their normal lives 

as best they can. But all three are hiding secrets. Warscarred 

Mireille is fighting with the Resistance; Claire has 

been seduced by a German officer; and Vivienne’s 

involvement is something she can’t reveal to either of them. 

Two generations later, Claire’s English granddaughter 

Harriet arrives in Paris, rootless and adrift, desperate to find 

a connection with her past. Living and working in the same 

building on the Rue Cardinale, she learns the truth about her 

grandmother – and herself – and unravels a family history 

that is darker and more painful than she ever imagined. In 

wartime, the three seamstresses face impossible choices 

when their secret activities put them in grave danger. 

Brought together by loyalty, threatened by betrayal, can 

they survive history’s darkest era without being torn apart? 

In the meantime some of us are reading a free online 

copy of ‘Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family 

Created the World's Most Dangerous Man’ by Mary L. 

Trump and we’ll report back on our discussions in the next 

issue, while trying to stay away from being too political. 

Normally, the book club meets one evening a month in a 

member’s home and we borrow our books from Wells 

Library to reduce costs. We welcome members from nearby 

villages to enjoy wine and soft drinks and great 

conversations which lead to new topics and learning. We 

have vacancies for two more members so if you are 

interested please contact me. dr.sallyvanson@gmail.com. 

STIFFKEY VILLAGE FACEBOOK 

Our ‘virtual village green’ now has 220 members, is 

used daily and can be found at https:// 

www.facebook.com/groups/790563987749800/ 

It’s great to see it being used for community debates and 

for items for sale and wanted. 

The page is becoming very informative and we have an 

interesting request from a Caroline Baird who met some 

local people on holiday. She asks: 

“Hello! Thank you for adding me... bit of a strange one... 

We live in Sheffield, and one Friday we visited Chatsworth 

for the day, we got talking, for an hour to a lovely couple 

who are from Norfolk, they live between Holt and 

Fakenham and are called Cliff and Maria. They are in their 

60’s with 3 children and mentioned past jobs etc that we 

would be able to narrow them down to. 

23

We’d love to get in touch with them and tell them, that 

that night we booked a holiday to Norfolk after meeting 

them! Does anyone know this couple or can you point me in 

the direction of any other local sites to them that I may be 

able to join in my search”. 

If you can help, please respond via the village Facebook 

Page or let Sally Vanson know and she will forward the 

details. Many thanks.” 

Norfolk County Council also wish to share with us that 

following the Coronavirus outbreak at Banham Poultry, the 

Government has made Norfolk an area of enhanced support. 

They would like to reassure us that this is all about support, 

not restrictions. There will not be extra rules that affect how 

we live and work in Norfolk. 

They would also like reassure our communities and our 

visitors that Norfolk is still a safe place in which to live, 

work and visit. The would also like to thank everyone in 

Norfolk for continuing to help prevent the spread of 

Coronavirus by washing our hands and social distancing 

and finally remind us that we all must continue to work 

together to help protect ourselves, protect others and protect 

Norfolk. 

CHURCH NEWS 

Two services were held in August at St. John's, the third 

Sunday communion and on the fifth Sunday the Benefice 

Group Service at 10.30 a.m. It had been hoped to hold this 

service outside in the churchyard but the weather was no so 

good and it took place in the main part of the church, and 

was very carefully socially distanced. 

On account of the Covid virus no history exhibition in 

the church, nor the stalls on the Knoll were able to take 

place over the rather cool August bank holiday Weekend. 

Hopefully these will return next year. 

There will not be a Harvest Festival service in October, 

nor a Remembrance one in November this year, but a 

gathering around the Memorial will be held on the 11th 

November to remember those from the village who took 

part in World War One and World War Two. We will meet 

by the War Memorial at 10.45 a.m. 

Very sadly at the present time, it will probably not be 

able to hold a Carol Service in the church, however we shall 

have one outside either in front of the porch or on the 

Church Knoll in candlelight. Details will be available nearer 

the time. 

We are doing our best to cope in these uncertain times 

and will keep you all updated when possible. HH 

STIFFKEY LOCAL HISTORY GROUP 

Our local history group is not holding meetings at the 

moment and are short of members to answer e mails and do 

administrative tasks so life is quiet. 

There are plans to site the archive in the Village Hall 

eventually so rest assured nothing will be lost and we will 

have a central access point. 

STIFFKEY PLAYING FIELD 

Reminder 

Continuing our aim to create a recreational space for our 

whole community, we are planning to build a new tennis 

court at the playing field to open May 1st next year. 

As many playing fields decline and disappear and village 

sports teams fold, we want to build on the strength of the 

activity that we already have going on at the grounds with 

Stiffkey Cricket Club and the children’s play area that was 

recently updated and rebuilt. 

24

The committee has launched a plan to build a tennis 

court for the use of the village and that will also act as a 

fundraiser for further development (by charging playing 

fees to our many visitors to the village, for example the 

campsite). 

The committee has put up the first £5,000 and it is our 

intention to raise the balance from grants that are available 

to us and from matching donations from the village itself. 

We have already attracted a donation of £1,000 from one of 

the more recently moved in villagers, and we are hoping 

that all of those, who love the village and want to help build 

our community, will be generous in supporting our aim to 

raise £25,000. We have launched a donation page on 

JustGiving which means your funding help is just a click 

away! So, whether you have supported the village all your 

life or are a second homeowner with the same passion that 

we have for the village, please be generous and donate to 

our JustGiving Crowdfunding Page to help make it happen. 

Thank you for your support: 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stiffkey 

playingfield?utm_id=1&utm_term=WqWVEakVM 

Stiffkey Playing Field Committee 

RESCUE WOODEN BOATS 

Maritime Heritage Centre is opening with Covid-safe 

measures in place on Sundays until the end of October from 

11am to 4pm. Situated in Stiffkey the Maritime Heritage 

Centre was the former Officers’ Mess at the Old Military 

Camp in Stiffkey and has been generously refurbished for 

us by Mark Harrison. In the Maritime Heritage Centre we 

tell the story of Dunkirk veteran local lifeboat Lucy Lavers. 

We have displays of our fishing and wooden boat building 

heritage, including crab fishing, whelk fishing, and fishing 

life and communities. There are a number of fishing 

artefacts and photographs in the centre which have been lent 

or given to us. 

You can watch our films, which capture the stories of the 

last generation of fishermen and lifeboat men to use wooden 

boats. We also have a small display on the history of the 

Military Camp where we are based. We aim to tell the 

stories of working boats and lifeboats and the people who 

built, owned and crewed them – and to conserve our 

national maritime heritage by doing this. 

You'll also find our small shop selling merchandise, 

postcards, books and more. And we have a multipurpose 

education and events room, which is perfect for using by 

groups or school visits. Contact us to find out more. 

Come and see us, and get involved with what we do. 

Nick and Chris who run Lucy Lavers on Rescue 

Wooden Boats' behalf have been varnishing and sprucing 

her up and have now started trips again. You can contact 

Chris and Nick to find out more on 07747 401222 or email 

wellsharbourtours@gmail.com. They can't wait to 

welcome us afloat once more! 

STIFFKEY PARISH COUNCIL 

Our Parish Council is planning to start meeting again in 

September with an additional meeting if possible to make 

up for those missed during lockdown. Agendas and Minutes 

of meetings can be found on the notice boards at Greenway 

and at Stiffkey Stores. 

The Parish Council is a corporate body made up of 

seven members. They meet at least 6 times a year. Their 

role in the community is to provide services and facilities 

for our residents and visitors. They also have a consultation 

role in respect of planning. They liaise with other statutory 

and voluntary bodies. They have a Clerk who is also the 

Responsible Financial Officer for the Council. Everything 

the Council does is laid down in law. It is the clerk’s role to 

ensure the Council acts within the law. 

You can find out more about the Parish Council at 

www.stiffkeyvillage.org and members of the public are 

able to attend the ‘open’ part of any PC meeting. If you wish 

to contact the Parish Council for any reason you can do so 

via the Clerk - clerk@stiffkeyvillage.org. 

LYNX LITERARY WEB PAGE 

It has been suggested that it would be nice to 

encourage readers to contribute short stories or poems 

to the Lynx. As we are primarily a newsletter (and when 

back in print our space will be limited by printing costs) 

we have come up with a plan to create a literary 

webpage where interested readers can find new stories 

and poems. So watch this space! We hope to have it up 

and running for the next edition. 

Ed. 

MORSTON QUIZ ANSWERS 

(Questions on page 20) 

1. A violin bow. 2. Limestone. 3. Scheherazade. 4. An 

imitation of herself. 5. Iran. 6. Androids. 7. Lamp amplification 

by stimulated emission of radiation. 8. 

Right. 9. Don Quixote. 10. Farsi. 11. Abuja (replaced 

Lagos). 12. Chihuahua. 

No news from Langham 

School this time. 

25

LYNX 134 ADS DIRECTORY 

SEE FURTHER SERVICES LISTED BELOW DIRECTORY 

Antiques/Furniture/Textiles 

page 

Nick Hamond Furniture: cabinet-maker 20 

Sandra’s Soft Furnishings 25 

Shirehall Antiques, Holt 18 

Care Services 

Community Heartbeat advice leaflet back cover 

Hindringham Toddler Group 9 

Gardening 

DB Garden Services 8 

Finlay Newton Garden Services 

front cover 

Glaven Gardens 16 

J.P.S. Gardening 15 

Hair/ Health 

Alison Courtney Acupuncture 7 

Claire Dye: Physiotherapist 2 

Foot Perfect 12 

Gunthorpe Osteopaths 11 

Marianne Atherton Homeopathy 14 

Philippa Stancomb Reflexology 

front cover 

Pilates at Binham Memorial Hall 17 

Tudor Barber Shop, Walsingham front cover 

Hall Rentals 

Binham Memorial Hall 13 

Warham Reading Room 23 

Leisure 

Blakeney Hotel 9 

Morston Swimming Pool 7 

Services and Suppliers 

Allied Glass: Trade and Domestic Glazing 17 

Boon-bespoke décor 24 

Burnham Motors 25 

Butcher Andrews Solicitors 11 

Daren Betts Building and Maintenance 15 

David Thompson Chimney Sweep 10 

Dawn’s Dog Walking and Pet Care Services 18 

Elv’s Woodburner Services 6 

Gowards Funeral Services 21 

Keeble Roofing Contractor 19 

Norfolk Woodburners Stoves 12 

P J Electrics 

front cover 

Paul Hennessey decorator 6 

Taxis 

Strong Cars 8 

Stuart’s Taxi 10 

Help Wanted 

Cleaner required for rental cottage 5 

Advertising space in this publication is sold in good faith and the editor/publication team can take no 

responsibility for the quality of goods or services offered. 

FANCY ADVERTISING HERE? 

email: sallymetcalfe@btinternet.com 

CHIMNEY SWEEP 

David Thompson 

01328 851081 

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED 

Contact Derek Lee 

01328 878282 

SIVANANDA YOGA CLASS 

Gunthorpe Village Institute Hall 

Wednesdays in Term Time 7.30-8.45pm 

Contact Richard Redmayne 01263 862 289 

HAMLYN PEST CONTROL 

County Council Accredited - NPTA Member 

Control of Rats Mice Wasps etc 

01263 860112 

DOMESTIC CLEANER 

Experienced, Reliable, Mature & Practical 

Contact Alison 

0779 026 4515 

FINCH GARDEN DESIGN 

Design - Build - Planting 

www.finchgardendesign.co.uk 

Jackie Finch 07776 292 211 

Local Lynx is printed by Century Printing, 26 132 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AZ 

Tel: 01692 582958

Local Lynx no. 134 October/November 2020

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